When technology stops working correctly, that’s when we tend to notice it most. That’s especially true with hearing aids: To the majority of people who wear them, hearing aids are more than just a piece of technology; they’re a crucial lifeline to the rest of the world.
It’s both emotionally and physiologically vital to discover solutions for malfunctioning hearing aids as quickly as possible. Whether you’ve been using your hearing aids for a week, a year, or a decade, troubleshooting can be a risky, troublesome process. But if you want to get your hearing aid working properly again there are some simple measures you can take.
Avoiding Trouble Before it Occurs
Hearing aids are no exception to the rule, like any other piece of technology, they need routine upkeep. Even though the casing may look simple and robust, the electronics inside can be incredibly sophisticated.
Which means maintenance is a must. There are a few easy ways you can make certain that your hearing aid is taken care of as you’re wearing them.
Keep Your Hearing Aids Clean
Your ears normally and naturally make a certain amount of wax every day. And, the ear wax is, to a certain extent helpful for your ears. But it’s not so good for your hearing aids. Keeping your hearing aids clean and clear of wax buildup can help improve the life of the devices. The fact is that most hearing aids will have a built-in wax filter that should also be periodically cleaned.
Keep Your Hearing Aids Dry
Moisture and electronics don’t go well together. And despite the best protection technology can produce, repeated exposure to moisture can gradually wear out the internal electronics of your hearing aids, reducing their effectiveness.
This Means wearing your hearing aids in the shower or while swimming is a bad idea. Additionally, if your hearing aids do become wet, towel-dry them; heat from a hairdryer, for instance, can hurt your hearing aids.
Make an Appointment With Professional Cleaners
Hearing aids are delicate (and commonly expensive) technology, and as such, they need specialized cleaning procedures. Even if you’re fairly thorough about your own cleaning routines, there are just some things that can be better accomplished by a specialized cleaner.
That’s why it’s suggested that you bring your hearing aids in to be cleaned every 4-6 months.
Troubleshooting Complications That Are Already Happening
Protective steps are essential if your hearing aids are currently working properly. You’re probably more interested in quick fixes if your having problems with your hearing aids not working anymore.
If your hearing aids aren’t functioning correctly, try one of the following steps:
- Examine your own ears. Sound from your hearing aid might be blocked by earwax buildup.
- Switch between programs or change the settings. Most hearing aids are different in this respect, so your course of action will depend on the model you have.
- Change out your battery or power source, even if your batteries are rechargeable.
- Adjust the volume. Sometimes you can do this with a remote or manually via the dial on the hearing aid. If your hearing aid has both options, try both ways.
- Check for loose wiring or corrosion in the battery compartment. If you see any corrosion, you can try carefully cleaning it away, but significant damage will have to be repaired professionally.
- Inspect your hearing aids for visible signs of damage, such as blemishes or cracks. Your hearing aid might need to be repaired if you notice any of this type of damage.
- Cycle the device power (turn it off and turn it back on). This will correct the issue in certain cases.
- Check your hearing aid for wax or debris build up. Carefully wipe away any debris or wax you may notice.
It’s likely that you will have to have the device fixed by a professional if you want it back to original performance if none of these options help.
What if That Doesn’t Fix My Hearing Aids?
When your hearing aids aren’t functioning properly anymore and troubleshooting has not taken care of the problem, you will most likely have two choices: you either need to buy a new pair or send them in for repair. Which option works better for you will depend on your circumstances, the age of your hearing aids, and other factors.
If your hearing aids aren’t functioning properly right now, take the time to try some troubleshooting. If that doesn’t help, you can go on to the next steps, such as a discussion with a hearing specialist to determine a remedy. Make an appointment to find a solution today.